Magnolia Hall

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Joe and I went to visit our dream wedding venue yesterday. Magnolia Hall is a beautiful building on beautiful grounds in the most beautiful place in Atlanta, Piedmont Park. Here is the courtyard…

The interior is full of mission style accents and dark hardwood floors. We are going over our guest lists hoping we can fit everyone in the place. Once the parking deck is finished our guest will have ample parking and a quick trip to the venue. The park means a lot to us and I hope we get the day we want. Pray for us! My mother continues to suggest other places but nothing is better than one of our favorite places in our favorite part of town. Here is a photo of the interior…

Dear Ralph Lauren

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Got a cute skirt this weekend. Ralph Lauren, silk, cream…unfortunately it was made in China. Why can’t All American Ralph make his clothes here???? I don’t know either so I sent him an email and asked him. I will get the physical address and send a hard copy also…..

The Ralph Lauren name is synonymous with classic American style. Your advertising depicts all American models in beautiful New England coastal settings and picturesque polo match scenes. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the label of a recently purchased skirt of yours to see that it was actually made in China. Is your message that “All American” means made in another country with cheaper labor?? How can a company that prides itself on being an icon of American style and fashion not be made in the very country it claims to represent?

If you want America to be the powerful, beautiful, successful country seen in your marketing you could start by empowering US industry and manufacture your clothes in this country. What better way to outfit the US Olympic team than to have them wear clothing made by American hands in America??

Thank you,

Maria Portgee
American

Siriusly!!!!

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Yes, I know you are thinking, “Hey she spelled that wrong!” I am actually talking about the satellite radio company. When I bought my 2008 Jetta it came with the car and was a pleasant surprise. I was returing my old lease and simply getting another one in the same color so my salesman had one ready for me when I got to the dealership. I signed on the dotted line. Took my plate off of the old car, put it on the new one and drove off.

It was nearly a week later that I wondered what the SAT button was on my radio so I pressed it. It was at that moment that I crossed into the wonderful world of satellite radio. They had my every mood covered with more than 130 stations. Driving around town doing errands on saturday?? The Frank Sinatra channel is a nice soundtrack. Accoustic is more your speed? CoffeeHouse has tons of covers and live recordings you will love. Every morning is spent with 132/NPR. My rides home are usually on 107/E! Radio and the Michael Yo talk show. He is always dishing good gossip!! My current addiction is Broadway’s Best. I have had some of my most productive days with the soundstrack to The Sound of Music, Evita and Rent playing in the background.

The top three things about Sirius are:
1. I never lose a signal. I can drive to Cali and listen to one station the
entire way!
2. It is only $12.95 a month. A bargain for a place where I can find Martha
Stewart and old school hip hop.
3. I can listen on my computer at work at no extra charge!!!

The only downside is there are too many choices. But really, is that a bad thing??

And We’re Off….

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I spent my lunch hour today at New Natalie’s bridal boutique. I had a few photos with me but mostly I wanted to get a feel for what works for me…lace, v-necks and halters. A feel for what dosen’t work for me…trumpet skirts, mermaid shirts and tons of sparkles. A feel for the amount of cash I will have try not to shell out…the dresses I tried on hovered in the $1000 range.

I have heard some good and bad things about the place but overall my mother and I had a pleasant time. I tried on an amazing lace covered cream gown with a halter top and sweep train. It had a wee bit too many sparkles for me but it definitely showed me what I like in a dress.

I was really happy to see the amount of lace dresses they had. I am really tired of seeing strapless everywhere but they had a great selection of lace ones that I won’t completely count out. I have to stay open minded. If you have any suggestions on places I should go where I will not break the bank finding the style I am looking for I would greatly appreciate it.

On my way back to work I talked to my dear friend Karin who has been sick sick puky sick. Thank God she is on the mend. And I gave her a little more cheer up juice when I asked her to be a part of my wedding party. She was over the moon and so was I knowing how excited she was. Rounding out my bridal party will be Alicia Richhart (best friend from college, intro’d me to Joe), Nicole Ricotta(my twin twin), Sybil Davis(we pass back and forth the role of being the other one’s rock). My final request will go to Joe’s cousin Nikki.

I plan on sending them each a formal request in the mail. I can be so old fashioned!!